A group of local residents who are trying to preserve the old Amerock building for future redevelopment had a good day in Springfield last week.An application from the Friends of Ziock to have the building added to the National Register of Historic Places received unanimous support from the Illinois Historic Site Advisory Council.The application previously won the unanimous support of the Rockford Historic Preservation Commission, and now goes to the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, which makes the final recommendation.According to the group, the state's advisory council praised the nomination.Historic status would open to the door to application for historic tax credits to help fund the building's redevelopment.The group calls itself Friends of Ziock after the building's original owner, William Ziock. The group's work hasn't been without criticism.Some would rather see the building torn down. The city bought it and a neighboring building last year with plans to tear them both down and use the riverfront space to expand Davis Park. Those plans are on hold as the Friends' application makes its way to Washington, D.C.If building is placed on the national registry, it becomes more difficult for a municipality or entity to demolish it. Documented efforts of revitalization must be provided.The Friends would like to see the building turned into† a mixed-use facility featuring everything from hotel rooms and residential units to retail, office and entertainment.